11 Nov 2015

State of the Nation Scotland: Infrastructure 2015, focuses on the performance, resilience, capacity and condition of Scotland’s infrastructure networks. It also analyses the economic, social and environmental benefits of infrastructure. Through the report ICE Scotland seeks to improve the planning, delivery, operation and regulation of Scotland’s infrastructure. Scotland’s approach to delivering and maintaining infrastructure requires […]

11 Nov 2015

At present, only a limited number of non-household water customers across England and Wales can choose their retailer – but this will change significantly in April 2017. The Water Act 2014 will allow 1.2 million businesses and other non-household customers of providers wholly or mainly in England to choose their supplier of water and wastewater […]

09 Nov 2015

This report by Marine Space for NRW ‘Advice for adaptive environmental management & marine biodiversity enhancement for coastal lagoon development goes in to some detail on the likely success of measures to enhance the marine biodiversity of lagoons. As is often the case the lack of information is raised as are a number of unknowns […]

09 Nov 2015

Defra : A report setting out the progress with marine plans in England was laid in Parliament. The report, covering the period 2009 to 2015, is required by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.You can read the report here.If you have any queries, please contact marine.planning@defra.gsi.gov.uk

09 Nov 2015

BBC ‘A floating offshore wind farm will be installed in the North Sea off the coast of Peterhead after the Scottish government gave it consent. Norwegian energy firm Statoil has been granted a licence for the pilot scheme of five turbines. They will be attached to the seabed by a three-point mooring spread and anchoring […]

09 Nov 2015

The Blue New Deal aims to deliver stronger economies for UK coastal communities, supporting more and better jobs through a healthier marine environment. There are already great examples of innovative and sustainable approaches happening around the UK coast, from investment in renewable energy to innovative management of our coastal environment – proof that change is […]

09 Nov 2015

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust ‘Sightings of juvenile minke whales increased in 2015 to the highest ever recorded within a survey season, during marine research expeditions carried out by the HW&DT indicating either significant increase in actual numbers of influx of minke whales from elsewhere – to read more go to: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/stand_alone.asp?page=minke-baby-boom.asp

04 Nov 2015

Business Green Defra has agreed a 30% spending cut with the Treasury. This article begins to reflect the commentary on this. http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2433882/defra-agrees-around-30-per-cent-budget-cut 2. Farmers Guardian  This article contains some analysis of where the axe may fall. ‘Defra is staring down the barrel of huge cuts to an already-depleted budget over the next five years. Alistair […]